90-Day Cybersecurity Study and Job Preparation Plan

Welcome to the 90-Day Cybersecurity Study Plan! This plan is designed to help you build core skills in cybersecurity and prepare for an entry-level job in the field. Follow along daily, complete hands-on labs, and use the provided resources to practice and gain confidence.

📅 Overview

• Duration: 90 Days
• Objective: Learn cybersecurity basics, practice key skills, and prepare for entry-level cybersecurity roles.
• Outcome: Competency in fundamental cybersecurity concepts, experience with hands-on labs, and readiness for job interviews.

🔖 Table of Contents

• Week 1-3: Foundations & Networking
• Week 4-6: System Security & Threat Analysis
• Week 7-9: Practical Labs, Tools & Job Preparation
• Resources
• Tracking Progress

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Week 1-3: Foundations & Networking

Objectives:

• Understand cybersecurity fundamentals, networking, and basic scripting.

Day	Topic	Description	Resources
1	Introduction to Cybersecurity	Understand the field, career options, and roles in cybersecurity.	Intro to Cybersecurity
2-5	Basic Networking Concepts	Learn OSI model, TCP/IP, ports, and protocols.	Cisco Networking
6-10	Network Security Basics	Firewall, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and basic network attacks.	YouTube: Network Security
11-12	Linux Fundamentals	Basic Linux commands, file systems, and permissions.	Linux Academy
13-15	Bash and Python Basics	Write simple scripts for automation and understanding of scripting languages.	Python Basics

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Week 4-6: System Security & Threat Analysis

Objectives:

• Understand system security principles, cryptography, and basic threat analysis.

Day	Topic	Description	Resources
16-20	Cryptography Fundamentals	Study encryption, hashing, and certificates.	Cybersecurity Cryptography
21-25	Malware Types & Analysis	Learn about types of malware, behavior, and identification.	Malware Analysis
26-30	System Hardening	Security measures, patching, and system configuration.	System Hardening Guide
31-33	Vulnerability Scanning	Introduction to scanning tools (e.g., Nessus) and identifying vulnerabilities.	Nessus Essentials
34-36	Log Analysis and SIEM	Learn basics of SIEM, Splunk, and analyzing system logs for threat detection.	Splunk Fundamentals

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Week 7-9: Practical Labs, Tools & Job Preparation

Objectives:

• Apply learned skills in labs, build a portfolio, and prepare for job interviews.

Day	Topic	Description	Resources
37-40	Lab: Setting Up a Home Lab	Set up a virtual lab environment with VirtualBox, Kali Linux, and Metasploitable.	Lab Setup Guide
41-45	Network Traffic Analysis	Capture and analyze packets with Wireshark.	Wireshark Tutorial
46-50	Hands-on Labs with TryHackMe	Practice real-world skills with guided labs on TryHackMe (fundamental to intermediate).	TryHackMe Labs
51-55	Vulnerability Assessment	Conduct assessments using tools like Nmap, Nikto, and Nessus.	Nmap Guide
56-60	Resume and LinkedIn Optimization	Polish your resume, LinkedIn, and GitHub portfolio with project documentation.	LinkedIn Tips
61-70	Job Interview Prep	Prepare for cybersecurity interview questions, technical tests, and soft skills.	Interview Prep

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Resources

• Learning Platforms: Cybrary, TryHackMe, Hack The Box
• Tools: Wireshark, Nmap, Nessus, Splunk, Kali Linux
• Additional Reading: CompTIA Security+, The Web Application Hacker's Handbook, Metasploit: The Penetration Tester’s Guide

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Tracking Progress

Use this checklist to track your progress. Mark each topic as complete to stay organized and on track:

• Week 1-3: Foundations & Networking
• Week 4-6: System Security & Threat Analysis
• Week 7-9: Practical Labs, Tools & Job Preparation

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Good luck on your journey to becoming a cybersecurity professional! Reach out to the community, stay consistent, and keep practicing!